ECE211 - Mathematics in the Early Years
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)* |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Jane Hubbard |
| Cohort rule: | This unit is only available to students enrolled in E330, E333 or E334 |
| Prerequisite: | 5 credit points at level 1 including ECE111 and ECE112 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 3-hour on-campus seminar per week NIKERI (CBD): |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 2-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Note:*Community Based Delivery (CBD): only for students of the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation NIKERI Institute (located at the Waurn Ponds campus) | |
Content
In this unit, students will be introduced to current theories, curricula and practice in early years mathematics learning and evaluate how these inform educators' planning and practice. Students will draw on and extend their own knowledge of key mathematical concepts and review how young children learn mathematics to apply this in planning for play-based mathematical learning for children aged 3-5 years of age. Students will explore the role of the teacher in extending and enriching young children’s mathematics learning. They will learn a range of developmentally appropriate assessment strategies and apply these as part of the learning cycle. Additionally, students will explore and critique the capacity of generative AI to support the work of early childhood teachers in planning for children’s learning.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Identify and analyse key theoretical and pedagogical perspectives and issues in children’s learning of mathematics | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO2 | Evaluate and apply a range of strategies and resources to create play-based mathematical experiences to build on the strengths, skills and abilities of children aged 3-5 years, including intentional teaching and open-ended materials. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO3 | Create and apply a range of strategies to promote children’s sense of curiosity and inquiry in solving mathematical related problems connected to play-based learning. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO4 | Critically evaluate and apply a range of assessment strategies in the evaluation of children’s understandings and learning of mathematics, including children’s voices. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Critique | 2000 words or equivalent | 50% | Week 6 |
| Assessment 2: Resource Kit | 2000 words or equivalent | 50% | Week 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for ECE211 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.